Kon Knueppel's Contract Projections With Charlotte Hornets Revealed

For Duke Basketball fans, there was a lot to celebrate on Wednesday night. 

The "generational prospect" Cooper Flagg went to the Dallas Maverick as the top overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Three picks later, Kon Knueppel was taken by the Charlotte Hornets at No. 4 and will stay in the Tar Heel State.

The best scorer in this year's draft class averaged 14.4 points and four rebounds per game on nearly 48 percent shooting from the field and 40.6 percent beyond the arc last season. 

Being the fourth overall pick comes with a projected four-year deal worth $45.4 million, according to Athlon Sports' Kevin Borba via Sportrac. This works out to be $11.3 million per year, which is 26.5 times more than is NIL Valuation at Duke.

Knueppel is a 6-foot-5 small forward known for his elite perimeter shooting and high basketball IQ. While some anticipated Charlotte might take a swing on the higher-upside Ace Bailey or consider trade-down options, the Hornets opted for stability and fit.

Two months removed from helping Duke during their run to the Final Four, the Hornets picked up Knueppel. Not long before trading big man Mark Williams to the Phoenix Suns for a package that included the No. 29 selection of UConn's Liam McNeeley.

The Hornets made a calculated and safe pick in a player who fits their needs and raises their floor. If Knueppel becomes the reliable sharpshooter, this pick could help stabilize a franchise hungry for success in the Eastern Conference.